Trying to teach my junior team member how to use down time to get ahead on projects. Any ideas of some easy tasks to fill up what should be pretty limited "free time"

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I try to use my very, very limited downtime as a way to brainstorm future needs. And set up better systems. For example, setting up rules in my inbox for different types of incoming mail.

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exactly how I am. I'll do some preliminary content research. Or just clean out my inbox. There is always SOMETHING to be done.

I like to “get curious” about media publications. Working for clients, I get a narrow focus in the moment for the right reporters and outlets. In my free time, I like to explore the websites and content of the outlets I know are important to the agency and see what they have going on in general. I find I’ll uncover a series or new reporter that way that I wouldn’t have if I was doing a purposeful search.

Aka-consume media for fun

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I mean if it helps you understand the beats of publications to keep in mind for future pitches I'm all for it.

Linkedin learning has some good training courses.

Oh good idea! Never hurts to upskill a bit with downtime.

If your agency or company has access to AI, I also found it really valuable to use downtime learning the ins and outs and practicing with it. I'm not a junior and obviously have less organic exposure to AI through school, etc. that juniors probably do, but I found it valuable to try and upskill there knowing it's becoming more and more prevalent and expected in the industry.

some of the things these AI tools can do are crazy. Definitely worth taking the time to experiment.

Do whatever it is you never have time to do, it could be organization, researching new outlets, brainstorming new business ideas, learning about new PR tools etc

definitely think the "research" route is a good place to start when you run into free time.

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